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LeBron And Cleveland...Can They Patch Things Up?

It seems that ALL the sports world is anxiously waiting to hear whether LeBron James will rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers. If so, can he win back those bitter fans who resent him for leaving? ideastream’s Brian Bull took the tact of talking a marriage counselor to see what could be in store for Cleveland’s prodigal son…

Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 3:47 pm

First, the break-up….carried live on ESPN four years ago….

“This is very tough. Uh, and this fall I’m going to take my talents to South Beach, and join the Miami Heat.”

At that time, James averaged nearly 28 points per game with the Cavs, and was its first player to win the MVP Award. So for many diehard fans, this was hard to take.

“I never wanted to leave Cleveland. And my heart will always be around that area. But I also felt that like, this is…(ahem)…the greatest challenge for me, is to move on.”

[HIT UP POST OF NEIL SEDAKA’S ‘BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO’]

Mmm, awkward.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert wrote a scathing open letter, telling fans that they didn’t deserve “this kind of cowardly betrayal”.

Four years and countless burned jerseys later, LeBron James is weighing a return to Cleveland.

Local marriage counselor Warren Salkin says the Akron native is going to have to win back the public’s trust:

“In terms of what happened 4 years ago, I think the community felt incredibly betrayed, in the way that a partner would in a personal relationship because it seemingly came out of the blue.”

Salkin says in turn, Cleveland has to grant forgiveness. And that could happen if proper amends are made…say….?

“I would assume all would be forgiven with an appearance in the playoffs," says Salkin. "...with the recognition that he has returned and has strengthened our team, and with obviously Cleveland in a big upswing nationally at this point, that would be a very timely thing and so I am hoping he does it!”

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